What’s next for Jon Gray?
Would Jorge Soler or Eddie Rosario be good free-agent fits?
Q: Watching how the playoffs unfolded with odd pitching rotations, one wonders how Jon Gray, or someone else, would produce as a reliever? Invariably a team needs a guy to go more than one inning, (Tyler Matzek in Game 6), to maybe step in when a starter gets shelled early. Does Gray have the mental makeup, or is he a starter specifically?
— Robert Emmerling, Limon
PS: Baseball is evolving so quickly, it’s tough to say what’s next. For most of his career, I thought of Gray strictly as a starter. I still believe that’s where he’s the most valuable — for now. Pitchers who can make 25-30 starts a season are getting tougher to find.
But I think Gray could excel as a lategame reliever. His fastball-slider combination could be devastating for one or two innings. However, if the Rockies bring him back for big money, it would be as a starter.
Q: What’s the latest on the negotiations with Jon Gray? I’d love to see him as a staple of this rotation for years to come.
— Mark, Seattle
PS: I was not surprised that the Rockies didn’t tender him the $18.4 million qualifying offer because I believe they need that money to add power to their lineup.
Plus, I think Gray’s inconsistencies during the last third of the season gave the Rockies pause. Then he turned down a deal worth more than $12 million a season for three or four years.
But from what I’ve been told, there is still a chance Gray and the Rockies can reach a deal, but it’s by no means a lock. If Gray signs with another team, the Rockies won’t get a draft-pick compensation. And remember, they turned down trade offers for him at the deadline this summer.
MLB Trade Rumors ranks Gray as the 19th best free agent and projects him getting a four-year deal worth $56 million. I think that estimate is a little high. Trade Rumors sees the Tigers, Angels and Giants as potential suiters. I’ve also heard that the Mets and Cardinals might be in play.
Q: Are either Jorge Soler or Eddie Rosario a realistic free-agent target for the Rockies? In other words, are they likely to be priced out of the Rockies’ comfort zone? — Dave, Fort Collins
PS: Soler and Rosario shined for the Braves in the World Series, but the Rockies need season-long production from a power hitter who’s able to play the outfield. I think they would much rather pursue Kyle Schwarber. Projections are that he would cost around $70 million over four years.
Soler hit 48 homers for the Royals in 2019, but he’s not a good defensive outfielder. If the designated hitter comes to the National League, he could be a fit in Colorado. Projections are they he’ll get a three- or four-year deal for about $10 million to $12 million a season. Rosario, 30, was a solid hitter for the Twins from 201720, and then the Indians gave him a oneyear, $8 million free-agent contract, then shipped him to Atlanta at the deadline. The Rockies could afford him, but I think they need to make a bigger splash.